Big Four unite to bid an emotional farewell to Nadal at the French Open
In a truly special moment for tennis fans, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray reunited on Sunday, May 25, to bid an emotional farewell to Rafael Nadal at the French Open. The "Big Four" stood together on Court Philippe Chatrier as Roland Garros honored its 14-time champion, marking a poignant end to Nadal's illustrious career on his beloved clay.
The hallowed clay of Court Philippe Chatrier bore witness to an extraordinary gathering on Sunday, May 25, as tennis's revered "Big Four" – Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray – reunited for an emotional farewell to the "King of Clay." In a touching ceremony orchestrated by the French Open, the sport’s titans celebrated Nadal’s unparalleled 14 titles at Roland Garros as he officially retired from the professional tour.
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An emotional Nadal, 37, expressed his gratitude to his longtime rivals-turned-friends, reflecting on how time reshapes perspective. "All the nerves, pressure, strange feelings when you see each other when you're rivals, it's completely different when you finish your career," he shared, highlighting the respectful yet fierce rivalries that defined their era. He embraced Federer, then Djokovic and Murray, acknowledging their collective push to greatness.
Thank you guys. From the bottom of my heart 😘
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) May 26, 2025
🙌🏻 @rogerfederer @DjokerNole @andy_murray pic.twitter.com/LrTHOooODA
Murray, who traveled from London for the event, underlined the immense respect for Nadal. "What he went on to achieve was amazing, particularly here," Murray told reporters, genuinely believing Nadal's 14 French Open titles will "stand the test of time." He also shared an amusing anecdote about Nadal's reaction to a text message after Arsenal beat Real Madrid, showcasing their long-standing friendship that dates back to their junior days. Djokovic, 38, arrived just hours after securing his 100th career title, while Federer, 43, reciprocated the warmth he received from Nadal during his own farewell.
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A day to remember 🧡#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/r4RQruQbbV
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 25, 2025
Roland Garros paid a fitting tribute to their undisputed king. Court Philippe Chatrier, the arena where Nadal played the majority of his 115 French Open matches, was awash in terracotta, matching the color of the clay he dominated. Each of the 15,000 ticketholders received a T-shirt, creating a unified backdrop for the ceremony. Chants of "Rafa! Rafa! Rafa!" filled the stadium before his appearance, and a minute-long standing ovation greeted him as he walked out, visibly moved. Among those on their feet were Carlos Alcaraz, seen as Nadal’s heir, and reigning women's champion Iga Swiatek.
After a showreel of his iconic Roland Garros moments, Nadal tearfully paid tribute to his family, particularly his uncle Toni, who coached him from the age of three to 16 of his 22 major titles. Towards the end of his speech, delivered in Spanish, French, and English, Nadal’s emotions overwhelmed him. The ceremony concluded with a final surprise: tournament director Amelie Mauresmo and French Tennis Federation president Gilles Moretton unveiled a silver plaque featuring Nadal's footprint next to the Chatrier net post.
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Nadal described the 50-minute tribute as "perfect," calling it an "unforgettable" and emotional day, despite his admitted shyness about being the center of attention. The heartfelt reunion of the "Big Four" provided a poignant closing chapter to one of tennis's most incredible careers, leaving fans with a lasting memory of camaraderie and respect among legends.
